







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| How do you get to Brighton? | |
| Why don't you answer your phone? | |
| Yeah, I think the logo looks much better in the centre, what do you think? | |
| I think 4000 quid is big enough. | |
| Do you have any area in mind? | |
| What kind of trick is that? | |
| Um.. it could be blue, I don't really remember. | |
| There is no direct flight from London to Perth. | |
| How old are you? | |
| Okay, how long is it, do you know? | |
| I like the seafood restaurants there. | |
| It's still £5 more than the bigger room! | |
| Sometimes he doesn't even recognize my mum. | |
| Are you sure she is from Australia? | |
| But Bear has got hip dysplasia. | |
| I think so, at least there is no aggression. | |
| We don't have that system in Brighton yet. | |
| Um, on this floor, it's only me and a French girl next door. | |
| I don't believe you! What's the difference today? | |
| No, it's not okay, I'm screwed now! | |